Saturday, 31 October 2015

Families living in estate open their doors as thousands join in American tradition here

The rain could not keep them at bay. Armed with umbrellas and pitchforks, witches' hats and masks, costumed revellers descended upon the Woodgrove landed estate last night for some Halloween trick-or-treating - a tradition that has been going on in the estate for at least a decade."My favourite part is the candy," said seven-year-old Soh Xuan Yi, who came dressed as a pirate. Her family and their friends had come all the way from Bukit Batok to join in the festivities.Many of those handing out treats were families from the United States, whose children attend the nearby Singapore American School.read moreHalloweenA jack-o'-lantern, one of the symbols of HalloweenHalloween, or Hallowe'en (/ˌhæləˈwiːn, -oʊˈiːn, ˌhɑːl-/; a contraction of All Hallows’ Evening), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.According to one view, All Hallows' Eve is a Christianized observance influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, with possible pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain. Other scholars maintain that it originated independently of Samhain and has solely Christian roots.Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related guising), attending Halloween costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing and divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories and watching horror films. In many parts of the world, the Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, remain popular, although elsewhere it is a more commercial and secular celebration. Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows' Eve, a tradition reflected in the eating of certain foods on this vigil day, including apples, colcannon, potato pancakes and soul cakes.read moreHOW THE TRADITION OF TRICK OR TREATING GOT STARTEDThe vast majority of the traditions commonly associated with Halloween today are borrowed or adapted from four different festivals, namely:

The Roman Feralia festival, commemorating the dead

The Roman Pomona festival, honoring the goddess of fruit and trees

The Celtic festival Samuin, meaning “summer’s end”, (also called “Samhain”) which the bulk of Halloween traditions ultimately stem from

The Catholic “All Soul’s Day” and “All Saints’ Day”, which was instigated around 800 by the Church to try to replace Samuin

The practice of wearing costumes or masks during this sort of end of Autumn celebration comes from a Celtic end of year (they celebrated their New Year on November 1) Samuin tradition. During Samuin, young men impersonating evil spirits by dressing up in white costumes with blackened faces or masks. It was believed that during the transition from one year to the next, the realms of the living and the dead would overlap allowing the dead to roam the Earth again. Thus, by dressing up as spirits, they were trying to fool actual spirits into thinking they were as well, which is particularly helpful when encountering evil spirits.Beginning in the 8th century, the Catholic Church was trying to provide an activity that would hopefully stamp out the old Samuin traditions. They came up with “All Hallows Even (evening)”, “All Soul’s Day”, and “All Saints’ Day”. Many of the traditions of Samuin were then adapted into these festivities and by the 11th century, the Church had adapted the Celtic costume tradition to dressing up as saints, angels, or demons during this celebration.readmore

EVERY once in awhile a piece of news from the little red dot goes worldwide. And in the case of the City Harvest Church verdict, why not? It’s a tale of religion, ambition, and intrigue, complete with millions in squirrelled away cash and a Hollywood popstar wannabe. Yesterday’s verdict was reported in at least 10 news outlets from around the world, including Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia and even as far as the US and UK. Big names like The New York Times (NYT) and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also ran a piece online.Both the NYT and WSJ kept their story tight by reporting the facts of the verdict and went light on background, including only why the six were being tried and the sentences they face. Bloomberg Business news wrote a skimpy piece, with only four paragraphs outlining the bare bones of the story.Across the Atlantic, British newspaper The Guardian, like the NYT and WSJ, also reported the verdict matter-of-factly. The Telegraph though, was more colourful. It included a screenshot of Ms Sun Ho’s China Wine music video, describing it “sexually-charged lyrics in skimpily-clad outfits in series of glitzy music videos”.read moreCity Harvest trial: How the international media reported it

All six accused of multimillion-dollar fraud in the high-profile City Harvest Church (CHC) trial were found guilty on Wednesday (Oct 21).In a trial that had run since May 2013, church founder Kong Hee, former CHC fund manager Chew Eng Han, former CHC finance managers Serina Wee and Sharon Tan, deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, and former CHC finance committee member John Lam were convicted of varying charges of criminal breach of trust and falsifying accounts.The proceedings captured much attention both in Singapore and abroad:

City Harvest was founded by Kong Hee (right) and his wife, pastor turned pop singer Sun Ho (left)The City Harvest megachurch scandal is the biggest corruption case squeaky-clean Singapore has seen in years. From racy music videos to a convoluted money trail, the case has riveted Singaporeans.City Harvest Church was founded by the charismatic pastor Kong Hee and his wife, pastor turned pop singer Sun Ho, in 1989. Known for its slick image and wealth-focused brand of Christianity, it has grown rapidly and is now estimated to have some 30,000 members in Singapore and elsewhere.But on Wednesday, Kong and five other church leaders were convicted of fraud, in a case worth $50m Singapore dollars ($35m; £23m).read moreSingapore Megachurch Founder Is Convicted of Fraud

The pastor of a Singapore megachurch was convicted of fraud on Wednesday, with a judge finding that he had used millions in church funds to promote his wife’s career in pop music.The pastor, Kong Hee, of City Harvest Church, and five other church officials were convicted of charges related to the misuse of $36 million to support the career of Mr. Kong’s wife, Ho Yeow Sun, a singer also known as Sun Ho. The six church leaders were indicted in 2012, and their 140-day trial has been followed closely in Singapore, which is known for aggressively prosecuting corruption cases.Mr. Kong and the other leaders, who were convicted of varying counts of criminal breach of trust, face up to 20 years in prison. No date has been set for their sentencing.read moreSingapore Court Finds Pastor Guilty of $35 Million Fraud

City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee arrived with his wife, Ho Yeow Sun, at a Singapore court on Wednesday. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGESThe founder of a popular evangelist church here was found guilty Wednesday of misappropriating $35.9 million in church funds to promote his wife’s singing career in the U.S. and Asia.The case is a rare example of financial prosecution in a city state reputed to be among the world’s most corruption-free and rule-abiding countries.A Singapore court ruled that Kong Hee, the founder and a senior pastor at City Harvest Church, was guilty of a criminal breach of trust. A judge found that he used funds—50.6 million Singaporean dollars—meant for church building and investments to help his wife, Ho Yeow Sun, to promoteher album and falsify church records to cover up the initial misappropriation.read moreSingapore Pastor Convicted of Funds Misuse for Pop Star WifeThe founder of Singapore’s City Harvest Church was convicted for his role in misusing S$50 million ($36 million) of church funds for his wife’spop music career. His bail was set at S$1 million.Prosecutors had accused Kong, 51, and five others of conspiring to misuse the funds and using sham bond deals in the city’s largest graft case involving a charity. All were found guilty in court on Wednesday. The church, which has seen the number of its followers dwindle by about a quarter since the probe started in 2010, has said it stands by the six.“The accused persons chose to engage in covert operations and conspiratorial cover-ups,” Presiding Judge See Kee Oon said in a packed courtroom in Singapore. “There is no doubt that they knew that they had something to hide.”read moreSingapore pastor found guilty of using church funds for wife’s music career

Ho Sun and Kong Hee outside the state court in Singapore. Photograph: Wallace Woon/EPALeaders of a Christian church in Singapore who misappropriated £23m of church funds in a failed attempt to turn the pastor’s wife into a global pop star to attract more followers have been convicted of fraud after a two-year trial.The charismatic pastor Kong Hee and five aides spent some of the money on glitzy music videos featuring scantily clad dancers to support his wife Sun Ho’s singing career in Asia and try to crack the US market.Kong and Ho founded the City Harvest church (CHC) in 1989. Ho was marketed as “the singing pastor” in Asia, and released several singles. She worked on an album with the rapper Wyclef Jean and appeared in a 2007 music video with him, but international success eluded her, the court heard.read moreSingaporean church leaders convicted of fraud in $23m project to turn pastor’s wife into pop star

City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee (R) arrives with his wife Ho Yeow Sunat the district state courts in Singapore Photo: AFP/Getty ImagesSix leaders of a Singaporean “mega-church” have been convicted of a $36 million (£23 million) fraud after diverting the donations of disciples into a failed project to turn a pastor’s wife called Ho into a global rap music star.Kong Hee, the founder and chief pastor, and five aides failed to persuade the judge that the scheme was a legitimate use of church funds to spread God’s word to the secular world by helping his wife break into US music market.Sun Ho, 43, who performed under the stage name ‘SUN aka Geisha’, singing sexually-charged lyrics in skimpily-clad outfits in series of glitzy music videos, was not accused of any wrongdoing in the venture.read moreSingapore City Harvest megachurch leaders guilty of fraud

The court ruled the weight of evidence against the six showed they had acted dishonestlySix leaders of a huge Singaporean church have been convicted of fraud in a case worth S$50m ($35m; £23m).The judge ruled City Harvest Church's pastor, Kong Hee, and others used church finances to fund the music career of his wife, Sun Ho, or falsified accounts to cover it up.The defendants had argued Ms Ho's pop music career was a way of reaching out to non-Christians.read moreUnholy row: Singapore megachurch leaders hit a sour note in pop music fraud case

Singaporean pop music singer Ho Yeow Sun leaving court during the case against her husband. She was not charged but her husband was found guilty of diverting millions to support her career. Photo: APThe co-founder of a Singapore church and five other leaders have been convicted of multimillion-dollar fraud for diverting money to support his wife's pop singing career, a rare fall from grace in the tightly regulated city-state.The mix of money, faith and scandal in the case has fascinated the public in affluent Singapore.Senior pastor Kong Hee heads City Harvest Church, one of a growing number of Singapore's megachurches preaching "prosperity gospel" that blends spiritual and material aspirations.read moreSingapore church leaders convicted of fraud over pastor's wife's failed $50m music career

PHOTO: City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee (R) and his wife Sun Ho arrive at the State Courts in Singapore. (Reuters: Edgar Su)Six religious leaders in Singapore who used $50 million in church funds in a failed bid to turn the pastor's glamorous wife into a global pop star have been convicted of fraud.After a two-year trial that captivated Singapore with tales of lavish spending and financial deceit, pastor Kong Hee and five aides were found guilty of diverting $Sg24 million ($24 million) to finance his wife Sun Ho's music career, which was portrayed as a religious mission.The six were also found guilty of misappropriating another $Sg26m from City Harvest Church to cover their tracks, prosecutors said.read moreIt's a 'rap' for Singapore church in $36m fraud

Six leaders of a Singaporean "mega-church" have been convicted of a $36million fraud after diverting donations into a failed project to turn a pastor's wife into a global rap music star.Kong Hee, the founder and chief pastor of the City Harvest Church, and five aides failed to persuade the judge that the scheme was a legitimate use of church funds to spread God's word by helping his wife Ho crack the US music market.The racy details of the two-year trial captivated the city state, which is famously law-abiding and where corruption is rare. Kong and five aides were convicted of stealing $17m by using fake bond investments to mask the spending on Ms Ho's career. The court also found that they used a further $18.5m to try to hide the first fraud from auditors.read moreSingapore megachurch leaders hit a sour note in pop music fraud case

(City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee (R) and his wife Sun Ho, also known as Ho Yeow Sun, at the State Courts in Singapore October 21, 2015. REUTERS/Edgar Su)The co-founder of a Singapore church and five other leaders were convicted of multi-million dollar fraud on Wednesday for diverting money to support his wife’s pop singing career, a rare fall from grace in the tightly regulated city-state.The mix of money, faith and scandal in the case has fascinated the public in affluent Singapore, where such cases are rare under a system with little tolerance for corruption.Senior pastor Kong Hee heads City Harvest Church, one of a growing number of Singapore’s megachurches preaching “prosperity gospel” that blends spiritual and material aspirations.read moreSingapore church leaders convicted of fraud in pop music venture

City Harvest Church's former finance manager Serina Wee (centre) arrivig at the district state courts in Singapore on Oct 21, 2015. - AFP picSix religious leaders in Singapore who used US$36 million (RM155 million) in church funds in a failed bid to turn the pastor’s glamorous wife into a global pop star were convicted on Wednesday of fraud.After a two-year trial that captivated Singapore with tales of lavish spending and financial deceit, pastor Kong Hee and five aides were found guilty of diverting Sg$24 million (RM74 million) to finance his wife Sun Ho’s music career, which was portrayed as a religious mission.The six were also found guilty of misappropriating another Sg$26 million (RM80 million) from City Harvest Church to cover their tracks, prosecutors said.read moreSingapore mega-church head guilty of embezzling $35 million

In this July 12, 2012, file photo, City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee, center, is surrounded by the media as he arrives at the Subordinate Courts in Singapore. (AP/Wong Maye-E)The founder of a popular Singapore church was found guilty Wednesday of misappropriating more than $35.5 million in donations to support his wife's singing career in Asia before helping her break into the U.S. market for evangelization purposes.Kong Hee, the founder and senior pastor of City Harvest Church, was found guilty with five other church leaders of stealing 24 million Singapore dollars ($17 million) designated for building and investment-related purposes through sham bond investments.The State Court also found that they used another 26 million dollars ($18.5 million) to hide the first embezzlement from auditors. It is a rare case of corruption of such magnitude in the city-state, which has an image of being highly law-abiding and largely graft-free.read moreSing when you’re sinning? Six Singaporean church leaders convicted for US$36 million fraud with bizarre link to pastor’s pop star wife

Top left to right: former finance manager Serina Wee, founder Kong Hee, former finance manager Sharon Tan. Bottom left to right: , deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, former treasurer John Lam, and former fund manager Chew Eng Han. Photo: ReutersAfter a two-year trial that captivated Singapore with tales of lavish spending and financial deceit, pastor Kong Hee and five aides were found guilty Wednesday of diverting S$24 million (HK$133.8 million) to finance his wife Sun Ho’s singing career, which failed to take off.The six, who insisted the project was conceived for religious reasons, were also found guilty of misappropriating another S$26 million from the evangelical City Harvest Church (CHC) to cover their tracks, prosecutors said.Ho, 43, who appeared in a 2007 music video with rapper Wyclef Jean in an attempt to cross over from Mandarin pop and reach a wider English-language audience, was not charged.read more

City Harvest's Kong Hee speaks of 'difficult time', asks for prayers

The founder of City Harvest Church in Singapore, Kong Hee, was found guilty of fraudKong Hee, the Singapore megachurch pastor found guilty of fraud after a long-running trial, broke his silence on Facebook yesterday saying it was a "difficult time" for him and his family.Kong, pastor of the 20,000-member City Harvest Church, was charged with three offences of criminal breach of trust in connection with attempts to boost his wife Sun Ho's singing career using church funds. He and his five co-defendants misused $17 million from the church's building fund. A further $18.5 million was used to cover up the scheme through a complicated system of bond issues and 'round-tripping' transactions in which the church used its own money to pay debt owed to it.Kong had steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the trial, which lasted for 140 days. He won the support of many Christian leaders who believe that the case was founded on a misunderstanding. The funds were used to support Sun Ho's career through CHC's 'Crossover Project', aimed at promoting a Christian voice in the secular music industry – a mission tactic familiar in the West but far less so in the East.related:Kong Hee and CHC: How a music 'ministry' led to a megachurch pastor's downfallSingapore court finds megachurch pastor Kong Hee guilty of fraudMegachurch pastor facing fraud charges hits back over 'high life' claimsSpore pastor's trial: Kong Hee is victim of cultural differences, not fraud, say supportersread moreSun Ho Will Need to ‘Dance Her Problems Away’ to Face Critics as China Wine Video’s Page Views Soars

Pastor Kong Hee pictured with his wife, Sun HoIt's a video that could easily top the dance charts: scantily-clad Asian girls and black/Latinas face off to a funky beat, and there's a bit of a hip hop rap and expert twerking long before Miley Cyrus knew how to work it.The problem is, disillusioned members and critics of Singapore's City Harvest Church find it hard to believe that this kind of music was intended to evangelize the world with the Christian gospel.The ChinaWine video is sung and starred by Sun Ho a.k.a. Geisha a.k.a. Ho Yeow Sun, co-pastor and wife of disgraced City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee, who was recently charged guilty, together with four other City Harvest Church leaders and former member Chew Eng Han, for misappropriating S$24 million of church funds. The money went to support Ho's music career, the Straits Times reports.read moreKong Hee and Sun Ho paid for expenses from account made up of "love gift" donations

City Harvest Church’s services this past weekend capped the end of a painful chapter for the church and heralded the beginning of a brand new phase filled with hopeThis past weekend was an important one for City Harvest Church. Last Wednesday, all six parties involved in the trial were found guilty of all charges. Sentencing will take place on Nov 20.Standing before his congregation after praise and worship, senior pastor Kong Hee apologized and bowed before the people. “Pastor is sorry for the pain you all have had to endure under my leadership and watch,” he said. “Pastor is sorry, but hopefully, that season in the life of our church is in the past.”There were few dry eyes in the auditorium as the people stood to their feet, cheering and applauding Kong, rendering their support and love to their senior pastor.read moreKong Hee posts video excerpt of Sun Ho’s ordination as pastor

As some of you might have learned, following the City Harvest Church six’s guilty verdict last week, church founder Kong Hee’s wife Sun Ho has been ordained as church pastor in the wake of the high-publicity trial.Kong, one of the six found guilty of fraud, put up a video on Oct. 19 on his Facebook page, which features a short excerpt of the ceremony:Kong presents Ho with a bible, saying:

“40 years ago, I became a believer. This is the first bible I owned. And in every ordination normally the ordaining pastor gives a bible. Let this be a symbol of the authority I am handing to you. Sun, this is my bible, it is now in your hands. Let’s give Sun a big clap right now.”

Friday, 30 October 2015

The natural dietary component gingerol has been shown to shrink tumors by 56 per cent

It works by blocking the cancer cells from growing and – ultimately – spreading.The paper concludes: ‘Ginger inhibits growth and modulates secretion of angiogenic factors in ovarian cancer cells.‘The use of dietary agents such as ginger may have potential in the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer.’readmore

Thursday, 29 October 2015

WHO links processed meat to cancerThe World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report Monday which placed processed meats, including bacon and sausages, in the same category as smoking and asbestos for causing cancer.The report revealed that as little as two slices of bacon can increase the risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer by 18%.If the meat eaters among us choked on their sausages as they read the report over breakfast, the vegetarian reaction - at least on Twitter - was a little more smug.

You’ve probably seen today’s headlines, about the fact that processed meat has been classified as a ‘definite’ cause of cancer. And red meat is a ‘probable’ cause.The decision – coordinated by a respected international body – has been so highly anticipated by the media that speculation about the announcement has been building since last week.But a link between certain types of meat and some forms of cancer – notably bowel cancer – isn’t ‘new’ news – the evidence has been building for decades, and is supported by a lot of careful research.read moreHow to have your meat and eat it, too

Bacon is fried up in a pan in a kitchen in this photo illustration in Golden, Colorado, on Oct 26, 2015. Photo: ReutersEat as little bacon, ham and other processed meat as possible, and observe general guidelines for healthy living that include not smoking, exercising and eating more fruits and vegetables.This was the advice of experts in Singapore, in the wake of a World Health Organization agency saying on Monday (Oct 26) that processed meat causes colorectal cancer. The 22 experts from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also said red meat probably causes cancer.The agency reviewed over 800 studies before concluding that each 50-gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 per cent. The evidence showing that red meat — which includes beef, pork and mutton — causes colorectal cancer is limited, but red meat has also been linked to pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.read moreEating bacon, hot dogs once in a while is not harmful, say experts

The key is moderation, experts say, adding that diet is but one aspect of cancer riskWolfing down a slice of bacon once in a while is not going to cause any lasting damage, local doctors said on Wednesday (Oct 28) in response to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) latest report that processed meats could raise the risk of colon cancer.The same goes for luncheon meat and hot dogs, according to Dr Zee Ying Kiat, a senior consultant in medical oncology at Parkway Cancer Centre."My personal approach is that if you are the type who eats processed meats all the time, you might want to cut down," he said.read moreBad Day For Bacon

The World Health Organization has deemed that processed meats — such as bacon, sausages and hot dogs — cause cancer.In addition, the WHO says red meats including beef, pork, veal and lamb are "probably carcinogenic" to people.A group of 22 scientists reviewed the evidence linking red meat and processed meat consumption to cancer, and concluded that eating processed meats regularly increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Their evidence review is explained in an article published in The Lancet.read moreProcessed meats do cause cancer - WHO

"Eating a bacon bap every once in a while isn't going to do much harm - having a healthy diet is all about moderation"Prof Tim Key, from the Cancer Research UK and the University of Oxford, said: "This decision doesn't mean you need to stop eating any red and processed meat, but if you eat lots of it you may want to think about cutting down.Dr Teresa Norat, one of the advisors to the WHO report and from Imperial College London, said there were many factors causing bowel cancer. She told BBC News website: "People should limit consumption of red meat and avoid consuming processed meat, but they should also have a diet rich in fibre, from fruit and vegetables and maintain an adequate body weight throughout life and limit the consumption of alcohol and be physically active."The industry body the Meat Advisory Panel said "avoiding red meat in the diet is not a protective strategy against cancer" and said the focus should be alcohol, smoking and body weight.related:What is processed meat?Processed meat 'early death' linkWHO meat report: UK reaction to cancer linkRed meat increases death, cancer and heart risk, says studyHow safe is eating meat?

The World Health Organization said Monday that eating processed meat such as sausages and ham causes cancer, while unprocessed red meat may also be carcinogenic.The WHO's cancer research unit now classifies processed meat as "carcinogenic to humans" based on evidence from hundreds of studies, and linked it specifically to colon, or colorectal, cancer.The report outlined that simply eating 50 grams of processed meat each day -- the equivalent of two slices of ham -- can increase the risk of such cancer by 18%. However, the authors say the risks are relatively small to begin with.related:Related: If meat causes cancer, what can you eat?Related: Holy cow! India is the world's largest beef exporterread moreBacon and other processed meats can cause cancer, experts sayEating processed meats like hot dogs, sausages and bacon can cause colorectal cancer in humans, and red meat is also a likely cause of the disease, World Health Organization (WHO) experts said.The review by WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), released on Monday, said additionally that there was some link between the consumption of red meat and pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.IARC classified processed meat as "carcinogenic to humans" on its group one list along with tobacco and asbestos, for which there is "sufficient evidence" of cancer links.read moreBacon, sausages, ham and other processed meats are cancer-causing, red meat probably is too

Processed meats like bacon, sausages and hot dogs can cause colon cancer and red meat is also a likely cause of the disease, World Health Organisation experts say, in a potentially heavy blow for the global meat industry.Key points:

The analysis of 800 studies from around the world by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found "sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer".

"Each 50-gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 per cent," it said in a statement.related:Bacon is a likely cause of colon cancer, according to WHO experts'Farce' to compare sausages with cigarettes: JoyceShould I stop eating red meat? Experts weigh in on UN reportread moreProcessed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causesBacon, ham and sausages rank alongside cigarettes as a major cause of cancer, the World Health Organisation has said, placing cured and processed meats in the same category as asbestos, alcohol, arsenic and tobacco.The report from the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer said there was enough evidence to rank processed meats as group 1 carcinogens because of a causal link with bowel cancer.It places red meat in group 2A, as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. Eating red meat is also linked to pancreatic and prostate cancer, the IARC says.read moreProcessed meat and cancer link: Three charts that explain everything you need to know about the latest warning

You’ve probably seen today's headlines, about the fact that processed meat has been classified as a ‘definite’ cause of cancer. And red meat is a ‘probable’ cause.The decision – coordinated by a respected international body – has been so highly anticipated by the media that speculation about the announcement has been building since last week.But a link between certain types of meat and some forms of cancer – notably bowel cancer – isn’t ‘new’ news – the evidence has been building for decades, and is supported by a lot of careful research.read moreHot dogs, bacon and other processed meats cause cancer, World Health Organization declaresA research division of the World Health Organization announced Monday that bacon, sausage and other processed meats cause cancer and that red meat probably does, too.The report by the influential group stakes out one of the most aggressive stances against meat taken by a major health organization, and it is expected to face stiff criticism in the United States.The WHO findings were drafted by a panel of 22 international experts who reviewed decades of research on the link between red meat, processed meats and cancer. The panel reviewed animal experiments, studies of human diet and health, and cell processes that could explain how red meat might cause cancer.read moreWHO: Processed meat can lead to cancer, red meat 'probable' cause

Eating processed meat can lead to bowel cancer in humans while red meat is a likely cause of the disease, World Health Organisation (WHO) experts said on Monday in findings that could sharpen debate over the merits of a meat-based diet.The France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, put processed meat such as hot dogs and ham in its group 1 list, which already includes tobacco, asbestos and diesel fumes, for which there is "sufficient evidence" of cancer links."For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed," Dr Kurt Straif of the IARC said in a statement.read moreShould I stop eating red meat? Experts weigh in on UN report

The UN's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has warned that processed meats like sausages and ham cause bowel cancer, and red meat "probably" does too.Does this mean we should stop eating meat? By the IARC's own account, meat has "known health benefits". And the agency says it does not know what a safe meat quota would be — or even if there is one.Other specialists insist the report is no reason to drop steak from the menu, though it is probably wise for big eaters of it to cut back.read moreWHO report on meat – farce or serious stuff?

Since news broke on Monday that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked red and processed meat (including bacon, ham and sausages) as a major cause of cancer, opinions have been mixed, with some viewing the findings as “ridiculous.”And governments too, particularly those among the top meat exporters such as Australia, have dissed the report.To recap, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), made up of international scientists who deliberated on the research for over a year, said in its report that there was enough evidence to rank processed meats as group 1 carcinogens because “of a causal link with bowel cancer.”read moreWHO: EATING SAUSAGES, BACON & BAK KWA WILL CAUSE CANCER

Processed meats - such as bacon, sausages and ham - do cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Its report said 50g of processed meat a day - less than two slices of bacon - increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%. Meanwhile, it said red meats were "probably carcinogenic" but there was limited evidence.The WHO did stress that meat also had health benefits. Cancer Research UK said this was a reason to cut down rather than give up red and processed meats. And added that an occasional bacon sandwich would do little harm.What is processed meat? Processed meat has been modified to either extend its shelf life or change the taste and the main methods are smoking, curing, or adding salt or preservatives. Simply putting beef through a mincer does not mean the resulting mince is "processed" unless it is modified further. Processed meat includes bacon, sausages, hot dogs, salami, corned beef, beef jerky and ham as well as canned meat and meat-based sauces.read moreHere’s why you shouldn’t panic & stop eating processed meat altogether

Your Facebook feed today (Oct. 27) is probably filled with news articles on the recent World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report that said processed meats causes cancer and red meat has some probable link to causing cancer.News reports have focused on the classifying of processed meats as a Group 1 “carcinogenic to humans” agent while red meat is a Group 2 “probably carcinogenic to humans” agent.Is this the end of your meat-loving days? Should you throw away the cans of luncheon meat in your zombie fallout survival kit? Before you do that, we help you make sense of the findings:

The 18 percent increased risk of colorectal cancer

The conclusiveness of the report

The comparison of processed meats with other Group 1 agents like Tobacco

Processed meatLunch meat tends to be a favorite food, especially among the younger crowds out there. Unfortunately, food items such as ham, turkey, bacon, sausage, and even hot dogs, are loaded with chemical preservatives to help the meat appear fresh and healthy.These preservatives can cause cancer within the human body, though. Both sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite have been known to increase the chances of contracting colon and other forms of cancer. Choosing uncured meat products made without the use of either preservative, and preferably grass-fed sources, is the best option for avoiding this issue altogether.However, even eating processed meats in moderation can be fine. For those that eat it regularly, though, it may be time to switch to something on the healthier side of the spectrum in the near future. Be sure to check the labels on the meat you purchase within the store, or ask an associate at said store before buying.readmoreOne man's meat is another man's confusionI was happily munching away on steaks and the best prime cuts I could get from Japan when the World Health Organisation (WHO) dropped the bombshell that we should say no to red meat, sausages, etc.The WHO announced that meat, especially the red variety, is linked to cancer of the bowel and colon. What do we do now?In the wake of the WHO report, media health commentators have said we have to change our lifestyles.readmore

Processed meat linked to colon cancer: 7 things to know

Hot dogs and bacon cooking in a frying pan. They are classified as processed meat, which the World Health Organisation has said is linked to colon cancer.Colon cancer - also known as colorectal or bowel cancer - affects the large intestine, which consists of the colon and rectum.What are the implications of this revelation and how does it impact Singaporeans? Here are 7 things to know:

Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Singapore

The IARC's findings are not new

There are about 120 agents in the WHO's list of group 1 carcinogens

What exactly can be defined as processed meat?

Processed meat account for a comparatively small percentage of cancers